This week we have a special lead introduction from Allison Prandolini, Head of Girls’ Junior School.
Term 2 has seemed like the first ‘normal’ term in the last couple of years, and whilst we still have times where staff or students leave us for a week of recovery, we are now returning to everyday school routines. In the Junior School, which has meant that our first camp has left on Monday, interschool sport has returned, and our music programs are running back to capacity. This is a great feeling, but in moving forward, I have found myself reflecting upon the lessons learnt from the past two years.
One of the most important lessons that I have learnt is to slow down to build time in my routine to focus on my self-development, explore my passions and even just breathe some days. This was easier during lockdowns; now, I need to allocate time and prioritise.
Our children and teachers also need this time. In listening to Kirsten Douglas, National Manager of Headspace Schools, at a recent conference, she reminded me that we have all been through trauma over the past few years and to just move past this without acknowledging and allowing time for recovery can cause us further pain. Kirsten reminded me that well-being is everything, and we are no longer in survival mode; it is time to move to optimal function and excellence.
This term in the Girls’ Junior School, we are focussing on well-being, starting with our staff, as research tells us that if our teachers are not experiencing high levels of well-being, the education of our students will suffer. A recent study found that 75% of Australian teachers are suffering, with over 20% of these cases being severe cases of stress, anxiety, and depression (Adrienne Hornby, 2022), and our media tells us that teachers are leaving the education in droves. At Tintern, we are committed to supporting our staff as best we can to ensure that they thrive and be the best teachers they can be.
In the Girls’ Junior School, our theme for this year is ‘2002, it all begins with care’, a theme that aptly describes the importance of looking after all school community members. Our teachers do an incredible job of caring for our students, and now as a school community, it is time to demonstrate this care in return to them. I encourage families to think about a teacher they are grateful to, send them a short note, thank them, or show appreciation in some way. These little things can go a long way in the return to optimal function and excellence in well-being for all.
